Rubicon suspension on Sahara

[darthrobert]

All; I own a 2023 Sahara and recently picked up the complete suspension package from a 2023 Rubicon JLRU with very low miles used. My end goal is to have about a 2” lift and 35” tires. Now here comes the questions; if I put on the JLRU suspension, what difference will it make for ride or lift? Would I need to add a 2” Tereflex lift? Would I still need the lower front and rear control arms from the mopar kit? Finally, from the JLRU, what parts would be required to swap on the Sahara, i.e. Springs? I am trying to do a safe lift on a very tight budget? Any help would be appreciated.

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[Powelligator]

The regular Rubicon springs will (depending on the options the original Rubicon was specced with) stiffen your ride a touch. By themselves they won't raise your Jeep much, if at all. (Rubicons get the higher fenders which gives them more the *appearance* of a lift over a Sport or a Sahara.) Rubicon XR springs will raise your Jeep though. In your case, swap the springs, that can be done in an afternoon and while you're at it put a Teraflex 1.5" spacer lift on it. Replace the front lower control arms with the ever so slightly longer ones from the Mopar 2" lift (they are available separately for around 80 or 90 bucks).

That'll allow you to fit 35's. Any rubbing will be because the Saharas don't have the higher fenders that the Rubicons do. Depending on the wheels, it's possible you might not get any rubbing. Enjoy!

 

[yokramer]

Just swap the suspension given to you from the Rubicon and see where it puts you. If it gives you the amount of lift you are after good stop there and enjoy your jeep. If it doesnt then start looking into other options.

 

[darthrobert]

Thank you for your input.

 

[Fast4by]

I have done this exact swap on my 2dr sport and my sons sahara. The rubi coils and shocks will give you around 1.5" (each part number on the coil is good for 3/16". so depending on what the rubi was equipped with you may get a little more or less). With the sahara / sport flares that will allow you 33's. if you add rubi flares you'll get 35's.
My advise (this is what i did):
-Add the Rubi Coils & Shocks (+1.5")
-Add a 2.5" RC spacer kit (+2.5")
-Add mopar LCA
-Keep Sahara Flares
-Run 315's (35s)

Very easy, economical 4" lift if you arent doing serious off-roading.
There is very little change in ride quality.
See pics below.... both of these have the set up listed above.

 

[20-Willys]

I did something similar to my 2020 Willys. I first did the Rubicon springs with a 1/2 Teraflex spacer in the front to level it off. The Willys already has Rubicon shocks so these weren't needed and the control arms are the same. I later went back and removed the 1/2" spacer and installed the Teraflex leveling kit (2" front, 1.5" rear). I also installed the Mopar lift LCA's at this time.

 

[Odyssey USA]

I can’t recall the whole part number for each spring but it used to be that people sought the springs that ended with the last two numbers higher than stock. IE
DF ended in 61, PF ended in 62
DR ended in 90 or 91, PR ended in 91 or 92.

For my old 19 Sahara 4dr with hardtop, I found a set of 61,62,91, 92’s from a hardtop, steel bumpers, tow group Rubicon 4dr.

To the nearest 1/10”, went up 1” in the front and .750” in the rear.

 

[darthrobert]

Thank you all for your replies and pictures. The numbers 61, 62 & 91, 92 are the same numbers I have. Now I just need to go to dealer and order the correct long arms 68322798AA

 

[Fast4by]

Thank you all for your replies and pictures. The numbers 61, 62 & 91, 92 are the same numbers I have. Now I just need to go to dealer and order the correct long arms 68322798AA

Those are the exact numbers on my son's black Sahara. Add the rc 2.5 spacer kit for around $200 and you'll have 4" and easily fit the 35s. Here's a before / after

 

[mnforester]

Hello darthrobert - I added a Rubicon suspension to my 2021 Sport S. I shared my experience on this forum - see https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...etails-of-rubicon-suspension-on-sport.112571/. Lots of good thoughts and pointers in the comments. Good luck!

 

[txj2go]

I put Rubicon springs and shocks on my 4-door Sport. It raised the vehicle 1.5" in front and 2" in back. I also put on the Mopar front LCA at the same time. When the stock Rubicon shocks reached 50k miles I swapped for Bilstein and added 1/2" spacers in the front to level it. YMMV on how much lift you actually get from the springs. I run Rubicon 33" tires and do a lot of offroad. I think 35" tires would be OK for pavement driving and light offroading.

I don't think your gearing will be happy with 35" tires, I can tell some difference with 33" tires compared to the stock 31.5" tires.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

Seems everyone’s experience with the rubicon springs and shocks are different in this thread. This is my 25 sport after the springs and shocks with 35” MT BB ATs. I netted about 2.25” lift front and rear. That’s all I installed for suspension and have wheeled it many places and have never rubbed the tires on the inner fenders even when the tires were stuffed.

This is with my sway bar disconnected with rubicon fenders. Loaded with camping gear for 7 people. I’m confident I could get 37s in there with no rubbing.

 

[mnforester]

Forgot to add a pic. Colorado, 2023.

 

[Raghudhar]

All; I own a 2023 Sahara and recently picked up the complete suspension package from a 2023 Rubicon JLRU with very low miles used. My end goal is to have about a 2” lift and 35” tires. Now here comes the questions; if I put on the JLRU suspension, what difference will it make for ride or lift? Would I need to add a 2” Tereflex lift? Would I still need the lower front and rear control arms from the mopar kit? Finally, from the JLRU, what parts would be required to swap on the Sahara, i.e. Springs? I am trying to do a safe lift on a very tight budget? Any help would be appreciated.

All; I own a 2023 Sahara and recently picked up the complete suspension package from a 2023 Rubicon JLRU with very low miles used. My end goal is to have about a 2” lift and 35” tires. Now here comes the questions; if I put on the JLRU suspension, what difference will it make for ride or lift? Would I need to add a 2” Tereflex lift? Would I still need the lower front and rear control arms from the mopar kit? Finally, from the JLRU, what parts would be required to swap on the Sahara, i.e. Springs? I am trying to do a safe lift on a very tight budget? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Robert,
I might have a solution for your budget issue. I am upgrading my brand new Rubicon 392 Final edition that comes with lift kit you are looking for. Please ping me if you are interested.

 

[TravelerTheJLU]

All; I own a 2023 Sahara and recently picked up the complete suspension package from a 2023 Rubicon JLRU with very low miles used. My end goal is to have about a 2” lift and 35” tires. Now here comes the questions; if I put on the JLRU suspension, what difference will it make for ride or lift? Would I need to add a 2” Tereflex lift? Would I still need the lower front and rear control arms from the mopar kit? Finally, from the JLRU, what parts would be required to swap on the Sahara, i.e. Springs? I am trying to do a safe lift on a very tight budget? Any help would be appreciated.

I did the exact same thing actually for my '18 sport, I installed rubicon suspension then the TF 2" spacer. I added about 3" front and rear. The ride was fine, maybe slightly unstable on the highway because of the caster. The Mopar LCA would help fix that though I may suggest looking for a pair of adjustable ones if you are able. If you want to run 35's you may have to install a wheel spacer to avoid rubbing on the LCA at full lock. Are you planning on offroading? If so you likely will run into slight rubbing in the rear do to the track bar and axle being uncentered, but this would only occur at full flex, so not an issue for daily driving. I may suggest looking for a 35x11.50 instead of a 35x12.50, it will prevent some rubbing though ultimately not a big issue especially for just daily driving.
For the lift, you will change springs, shocks, front swaybar ends, and front LCAs depending on if you want to replace or not. Other changes depending if you get them are the boots for the springs, rear swaybar ends, and possibly bump stops but unlikely.

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